[ Summer 2008 | Rectory Break In ]  

November 2011: After three years of planning, from October 6th - 9th we were able to host the first Women's Cursillo for our deanery of Atlantida and the Bay Islands. We were able to send seven women to La Ceiba to experience this weekend, and five worked as part of the team. The event went beyond all expectations - a huge success!

Since then, the women in Roatan have been completely different; we can really see changed lives. They are constantly saying that they are so grateful to God and that we have been persistent and patient even in the midst of their rebellious spirit.

I give God thanks that after five years of arduous work, we are beginning to see fruit in Brick Bay. There is still a lot of work to do but the people are growing spiritually, and without doubt God is working in their lives. Our plan now is to begin with leadership classes, especially now as it is easier to identify potential leaders.

The youth in Brick Bay are also growing beyond measure. It is a blessing to see fruit here, too. We have now hosted three youth services and we can see the changes in them. I had asked one of the youth to preach, and we were all astonished at the sermon that he gave. He certainly has the gift. He is now thinking, talking to his mother, and praying about entering into the ministry!!! He is a 17-year-old who will be graduating from high school next year, so the timing is good. I am certainly encouraging him as he does have the gift and patience. Upon our arrival five years ago, when he was only 12 years old, I could see something special in him. Of course he wouldn’t accept it at the time, but now he sees it.

Last week, as I spoke about the parable of the talents and how we all are responsible to work for the Lord, to multiply his Kingdom on the earth, I set this challenge: when we leave for deputation for three months, what are they going to do? Nothing, as before, and leave it all to Jessy who has always helped us with Morning Prayer? Or will everyone keep things going? They responded that they now recognize Hector and his gift of preaching, that the youth can lead services, and the adults can participate in leading them as well. They promised not to allow things to die. Praise God!!  Early next year, we will begin planning with them who will do what each week, so that it is organized before we leave. Please pray that God will continue to work in their lives and that even throughout our absence, they are able to continue keeping things going!!

Coxen Hole has more committed members now. It is growing bit by bit as well. We are confident that upon getting the piece of land and building our church, the congregation will grow even more! We are praying fervently for the municipality to extend the land titles ASAP so we can purchase it, and begin building. PLEASE join us in praying for this.

Yesterday one of the lay pastors from the mainland came and gave us a workshop on developing projects and businesses that could lead us to become a self-sufficient church. Right now they are completely dependent on the diocese, but our goal is for the church to become a full-fledged parish! This workshop created great response, and I am confident that they will put the knowledge into practice.  This is necessary right now, due to the economic crisis that is affecting the world!

Please pray that they will all respond to God's call in their lives and put forth great effort!

Please pray for the youth, in their upcoming youth vigil that they are planning for December 10th.

Please pray for our Cursillo Ultreya in la Ceiba on December 10th.

Please pray for Nelson and me in our plans to return to Canada for deputation from April to July, 2012.

Please pray that the land title will be promptly extended to purchase the land!

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Summer 2009 Update

As you all know in the past few months, we have been going through a political crisis in the country and as consequence, the economy has fallen deeply. Many businesses have had to cut employees, and a few of our church members are without jobs. We have been speaking with Ed Hobbs, and Lorice Haig through Church of the Ascension in Port Perry and are in the process of starting a sewing factory, employing different men and women around the island to make cloth napkins and table cloths which will help them financially and the church as well. The church here on the island does not count with the financial resources to do everything that we want to do. There are many activities on the main island sponsored by the diocese which would benefit their spiritual life but are not able to go because of the finances.

Brick Bay (where our church is) is quite a distance from the center or other parts of the island so it is not easy for people to get to church because the church members don't have any cars. They would need to travel by taxi but would cost them about $3 per person to go to church and as a family it can get quite costly which is why we have started a church in Coxen Hole. For instance for one of our seminary students, it would cost her even more about $7 which would cost her $21 for all three. It is not easy for her to go to church in Brick Bay even though she likes it because she can't take of chidlren for financial reasons. She is starting to attend Coxen Hole because of the cost. Thankfully we have been lent a place free of charge to hold our services, a room that holds approximately 50 people. However, just like we find in Talanga, people tend to relate more to a church building. As soon as we built our church in Talanga, people began arriving more than when we were in a room. The cost of land in Roatan has been incrementing and is not easy to find a decent property. We continue to pray that God will provide just like he did in Talanga.

One of the challenges that we are facing right now is the uncertainty of the future of Honduras . All financial aids have been cut to Honduras, the US have refused to give any US visas to all Hondurans, and they say that the new president that is elected on November 29th will also not be recognized on the international level. People are worried, especially if the new president is not recognized, the country will not get any better. How will they continue to live in this country, as it is dependent on the exterior? The future in Honduras is uncertain which causes them to worry and be desperate. The only answer is God and as Jeremiah 29:11 states; I have a plan for you declares the Lord; plan to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This is our prayer and hope for this crisis.

On the positive side, our seminar program in conjunction with the Methodist church finished its 1 semester and have begun our 2nd. Please pray for Jessy and Ellen who are our students from the Episcopal church. They will be taking over and helping us with the services during our time in Canada next spring, and part of summer. We are at the moment working with them making sure they are fully prepared for this responsibility.

From the 11-13th of September we were able to send Fanny to the youth convention on the main land from where she returned really excited, and determined to help with the youth. She was given a book full of themes, games and songs for youth. With this, we will get the youth themselves to lead the different youth group meetings. Through this they will learn to be independent and still meet even though we aren't able to make it. Please pray that the youth will be empowered to work on their own, guided by us of course. We also want to establish this for the Cursillo group which hasn't been possible yet, but this is a goal that we are working towards.

My family is growing up quickly. Kelly just turned 2 on September 25th, and Stephen will be turning 7 on October 4th. Stephen is in grade 2 and is doing well so far. Please pray for him as he continues to adjust to another school year. I am really proud of him and all the achievements that he has made. He is a good student and studies really hard to be where he is at. I couldn't ask for anything better.

It has been 3 years since we have last been home, which is why on April 6th we will be leaving for Canada for three months deputation. If you are interested on having us speak at your parish please let SAMS know and we will include it in our schedule.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray for:

1. The political crisis, and for peace in the country.
2. Our seminary program and Jessy and Ellen.
3. For Stephen and Kelly that they will continue to grow in the Christian children that they are.
4. For the sewing factory that we are working to implement in Roatan.
5. For Nelson and I that we will continue to be faithful to His will in all that He has for us to do.
   

Looking forward on seeing many of you again. May God continue to richly bless you.

Summer 2008 Update

June 14th was a very good day for many reasons. Not only did Stephen graduate from Kindergarten, we also had the arrival of Brent Stiller and his family with us for six weeks. It was such a blessing to have them with us.

We gave them a few days off, at the beginning, showing them around the island a bit. They spoke with us about the idea of starting a blog where supporters may receive instant news and prayer requests, and Karen helped us with this task. 

The next week was the workshop on strategic planning for the deanery. Brent came with us, and enjoyed the full immersion of Spanish. On our return, we had a meeting with Revd. Pascual Torres, the dean of our diocesan seminary program, introducing him to three of our parishioners whom we consider as potential leaders in the church, and all of whom are interested in entering the seminary and receiving classes. While none of the three are interested at this time in ordained ministry, they each want to be fully prepared laity to serve better in the church. We have taught them how to lead Morning and Evening prayer.

Brent helped us out by beginning a preaching class, which was very helpful, as it helped them in preparing and delivering sermons. They have each preached well in response. That is particularly encouraging, as we will now have help with the preaching load in church. I plan on asking one of them to preach each month, which means that they will be preaching once every three months.

Within the parish, Brent also led a Bible Study, giving a quick six-week overview of the Bible while he was here with us. My plan is to ask them questions periodically as a review. Of particular note was that the class was full of young people, while those who normally attend our Wednesday Bible Study are mostly adults. Obviously it is important for the young to learn about the Bible, and to begin by applying it to their lives, as they are the future of the church.

Karen also helped us with a weekly English class for people in Brick Bay. That was a lot of fun and helped them in speaking. Roughly 20 adults and young people took part. They now know a little more English and I will speak with them more in English in the future so that they don't forget what they have learned. One of our deanery’s goals has long been to hold our own women's Cursillo, so back in March we began planning for this. Our dream is soon to become reality. We now have a date set (November 6-9), and the team has been established, and begun training. We don't know where the money will come from, but we have faith that God will provide. This is something that we want to accomplish as a deanery, and we will do it. We are working towards a Cursillo of 70 people between the three churches of our deanery, namely Roatan, La Ceiba, and Tela.

(At right) As a tiny church perched on the shores of the Caribbean, the setting may seem idyllic on paper, but the reality is a site that must deal daily with poverty, pollution and hardship
(Above) A nice new rectory for the Mejias in Roatan, but additional security has needed to be added.

Another important achievement is that the diocese was able to take out a loan from the bank and buy a house on Roatan which is now our rectory. At the beginning of July, Nelson and I moved into this new rectory. The only disadvantage is that it didn't come with bars on the windows which are essential in Honduras, so one night about 3am, someone broke into the house and stole Nelson's cell phone, digital camera, a can of coffee and even a can of milk for Kelly.

Nonetheless, the Lord is good and provides. While Brent was here, he had bought an inexpensive cell phone to use while here, which he has left with Nelson. Then a neighbour was selling a digital camera that we were able to purchase. And SAMS has provided the funding to supply the necessary bars.

At the beginning of the summer Nelson's mother took Stephen to Siguatepeque for the summer. It was a good time for him to relax before starting school again in late August. I can't believe that he has now begun first grade. It won't be long before Kelly goes as well. She has begun to take a few steps, so as you can imagine, we are busy going after her. Thank you all for your support. It means a lot to us. Please pray for:

1. Ellen, Hernan and Jessy, as they continue in the seminary program.
2. Stephen, as he begins school.
3. The Women's Cursillo on November 6-9th. Pray for the team and for those who will attend. Please pray that the team will be equally blessed as they serve God in this way, and that the candidates will be touched by God and turn their lives over to God.

SAMS Responds Following Rectory Break-In

SAMS Canada has agreed to provide additional security in the form of bars on the windows of the home of Kara and Nelson Mejia following two recent break-ins at their new rectory.

In early July, the diocese of Honduras acquired new accommodations for the Mejias, providing improved housing for the young family.

Unfortunately the house does not have bars on the windows, and on two separate occasions as the family was asleep, someone broke into the house and stole a number of possessions.

Although the losses were not too serious, (a cell phone, digital camera, jar of coffee, etc.) the need for bars on the windows (common throughout Honduras) was certainly underlined.

Given the payments it is making for the mortgage of the house, the Diocese was not in position to be able to afford the added expense of installing bars on the windows.

The Management Committee of the Board of SAMS Canada has unanimously agreed to forward the necessary funding so that bars can be added. The total cost of the bars is expected to come to $700 Canadian.